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It takes a lot of work to build a studio from scratch. It takes a lot of time and work to put together, and you also have to spend a lot of money on equipment. People often get lost in the best audio interfaces under $500 process because they think that every part of their studio has to be perfect. The heart of your best audio interfaces under $500, It is a big part of how good your recordings will sound unless you have other expensive mic preamps and converters outside of the computer. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, it’s important to have the best-sounding audio interface.
An audio interface is a must-have piece of gear for anyone who wants to make good music. This is true whether you sing, play guitar, or make music. We’ve made a list of the best audio interfaces under $500 to point you in the right direction.
Best Audio Interfaces Under $500
Audient Evo 8
Specifications
| Computer Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Simultaneous I/O | 4 x 4 |
| Headphones | 4 x Mic, 1 x Instrument |
| USB | 1 x USB-C 2.0 |
| Software | EVO Software Mixer, ARC Creative Hub access |
| Power Supply | USB bus powered |
Audient’s EVO 4 was on our last list of audio interfaces, and its bigger brother deserves a spot on this one, too. The British brand is known for making best audio interfaces under $500 that are easy to use and of high quality. This reputation is kept by the EVO 8, which has a small size and a lot of useful features.
You’ll have four inputs with high-quality mic preamps and four outputs, as well as a bunch of smart features that will help you set up things quickly and easily. Smartgain in EVO 8 sets the gain levels automatically when it picks up a signal from one of your sources.
Pros
- Use keyboard in Stereo, one Microphone, a guitar,
- Back vocals in Stereo, acoustic guitar, Main vocalist,
- Two Mics, one guitar
Cons
- No expansion ports.
Universal Audio Volt 476
Specifications
| Item Weight | 2.64 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 9.49 x 6.89 x 5.24 inches |
| ASIN | B09J1T8RPH |
| Item model number | VOLT476 |
| Hardware Interface | USB 2.0 |
Universal Audio is known for making high-end gear for best audio interfaces under $500. But, as the bedroom studio scene has grown in popularity, they have moved into the home studio world. This is why they have been adding more products to their home studio catalogue recently.
This state-of-the-art model has a UA 610 tube preamp and 24-bit/192-kHz audio converters built in. It has four inputs and four outputs, a Midi in/out, monitor outs, and one headphone out. It also has a 1176 compressor built into it. This isn’t a plug-in; it’s hardware built into the interface’s circuitry.
Pros
- 1-in/1-out MIDI connections
- USB-C to USB-A cable included
Cons
- No expansion ports.
- Phantom power can only be switched on or off globally.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd
Specifications
| Simultaneous I/O | 18 x 8 |
| Product Dimensions | 6.28 x 9.49 x 2.4 inches |
| Digital Inputs | S/PDIF & ADAT input |
| Digital Outputs | S/PIDIF |
| Item Weight | 4.67 pounds |
| Item model number | AMS-SCARLETT-18I8-3G |
The third-generation Scarlett 18i8 is the best audio interfaces under $500 for recording engineers and producers who need to adapt to their recording environment. It has eight analogue inputs: four mic/line inputs, two instrument inputs with high impedance and high headroom, and four fixed-line inputs on the back.
For bigger recording sessions, the optical input lets you add up to eight more channels. Scarlett 18i8 has four of Focusrite’s 3rd Gen Scarlett mic preamps with an optional Air setting that recreates the Air effect of their original ISA mic preamp.
Pros
- Great sound quality.
- Solid value given the feature set.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Short USB-C cable
Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD
Specifications
| Computer Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
| Simultaneous I/O | 4 x 4 |
| Number of Preamps | 4 |
| A/D Resolution | 24-bit/192kHz |
| Analog Inputs | 4 x XLR/TRS Combo, 4 x 1/4″ (Inserts) |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 000-BK102-00010 |
The Behringer U-Phoria is my top pick for the best audio interfaces under $500. It is a very popular and widely sold audio interface, and you can get it for a very low price. This beautiful thing will let you connect microphones, keyboards, guitars, and even MIDI devices.
They have phantom power, which is very important for condenser microphones. It has zero-latency monitoring, which means that there is no delay or lag in the signal coming back, so performers can get a clear idea of how they are doing.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Poor manual
- Issues with clipping
Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB Audio Interface
Specifications
| Max Sample Rate | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
| Simultaneous I/O | 10 x 4 |
| Bus Powered | Yes (Type-C only) |
| ADAT | Input |
| Protocol | USB 2.0 |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C |
The best audio interfaces under $500 is the Focusrite Clarett. It’s a standard in the pro audio world and has been for years. This interface’s design may be flashier and more eye-catching than some others, but it does a good job at what it’s meant to do.
Every input module has a one-button compressor built in, and 64x oversampling gives you plenty of headroom when recording vocals or instruments like drums so that your signal doesn’t get distorted even if you push it hard.
Pros
- Air transformer input emulation.
- High quality preamps
- Useful JFET instrument inputs.
Cons
- Control software won’t be appealing to everyone.
Audient iD14 MkII
Specifications
| Computer Connectivity | USB 3.0 |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
| Simultaneous I/O | 10 x 6 |
| Number of Preamps | 2 x mic |
| A/D Resolution | Up to 24-bit/96kHz |
| USB | 1 x 1/4″ (instrument), 2 x XLR-1/4″ combo (mic/line) |
The iD14 MkII is Audient’s newest interface. It has 10 inputs and 6 outputs and builds on the success of its predecessor. The iD14 MkII is powered by USB 3.0 and USB-C, and it has two Audient ASP8024-HE Console mic preamps that can be expanded with ADAT, as well as a JFET instrument input.
The A/D converters in the iD14 give you 120db of dynamic range, which means that your recordings will be very clear. Audient also says that the iD14 has very low noise and distortion, as well as a touch of analogue warmth. The plug-and-play design of Audient’s all-metal iD14 is meant to make it easy for musicians to record.
Pros
- Tasty JFET instrument input.
- Flexible headphone mixes using iD app.
Cons
- Requires USB 3.0 for correct operation.
PreSonus Studio 1810
Specifications
| Height | 1.75″ (44 mm) |
| Width | 12.5″ (317 mm) |
| Depth | 5.5″ (140 mm) |
| Weight | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) |
People often think that PreSonus audio interfaces are the biggest threat to Focusrite. Some users like Focusrite, but if they aren’t happy with it, you can bet that most of them will stick with PreSonus. So, Studio 1810 is one of the most popular PreSonus products.
It has all the features that make an audio interface reliable and of high quality. But we think DJs and electronic musicians would get the most use out of this PreSonus a best audio interfaces under $500. Some of the best sounding preamps and digital converters are in the PreSonus Studio 1810.
Pros
- Attractive price point
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Headphone out in the back
- Short USB-C cable
FAQs
What is the best audio interface under 100?
- Behringer U-PHORIA UMC404HD
- Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Generation
- M-Audio AIR 192|4
- PreSonus AudioBox USB
- Steinberg UR12
Is it worth buying an audio interface?
Yes, a good audio interface is better than the options on your desktop or laptop in many ways when it comes to sound quality. The bit depth and sample rate, as well as the DAC conversion, balanced outputs, mic preamps, and headphone amplifiers, have all been made better.
Which interface is better for beginners?
It is a good choice for beginners because its control panel is easy to use and it comes with software. And since you can get it for less than a Benjamin right now, it’s a cheap way to get started in the world of making music. You’ll notice that the highest sample rate you can use to record is “only” 96kHz.